the caged choir sings ( with a nod to Maya Angelou)

the caged choir sings ( with a nod to Maya Angelou)

 

 

women's heads

bowed and covered

humility slapped upon them

like the back of a hand to a red blushed cheek

 

pride, black and blue

the hue of discolored acceptance

Shadows cross the street

shielded from the sun and humanity

by inhuman existence

 

raise your head, 

let your hair leave its prison

and wave in the wind

 

lock your eyes to theirs

cast aside the severe warning

 

your rights are dying

to break out of their cell.

 

 

erin-cilberto

10/21/23

Reviews

[John Alexander McFadyen]

Being in Sharm el Sheikh today this one is fresh, seeing so many muslim women forced to wear the hijab and wear full head covering bathing costimes when swimming. This speaks of the terrible atrocities in Iran carried out by the fanatics. Another relevant poem with metaphors and word choice that tell the story in a few lines.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, John,
j.

[FGFRANKLIN]

Like Byron's Prisoner of Chillon, some come to accept their chains when they believe all hope is futile. They find their only solace in that acceptance pondering whether it is divine retribution or if life is a manmade punishment. Nicely wrought. I enjoyed the read.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I think they may be a little of both.
thanks, Fabian,
j.

[Lorry]

I really like the lines
"raise your head,
let your hair leave its prison
and wave in the wind" Jacob.
It has the freedom within being suppressed that her poetry is famous for. I'm sure she would nod in agreement of your words.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

That would please me greatly, Lorry.
thank you,
j.

[John the Baptist]

The Taliban really need to read this one.

[jacob erin-cilberto]

They would kidnap and torture me.

[Cyprian Van Dyke]

I like reading poems about worldly concerns. It's my news channel for the most part. You make your point clear here. Although I don't know why these things happen, I see that it is a big deal for them. I wish them freedom. tyfs

[jacob erin-cilberto]

I wish they would get respect...thank you, Cyprian.
j.

[AYVID N]

Women are still so suppressed in so many parts of the globe. The Taliban has forbidden women from studying or working in Afghanistan. That's just one example. There are dozens others. Subjugation, humiliation, name calling, manhandling, looting, bullying and if that's not enough, rape and murder. There's no end to it. Your poem empowers women, empathizes with them and encourages them to strike back. Bravo!

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Divya,
j.

[Chris Shaw]

Hurts to read. I remember the 22 year old Iranian woman beaten to death last year for not covering her hair. Beggars belief how so many women live their lives under the jackboot. Powerful poetry A reminder of how utterly divided our world is. One day all those caged birds will fly …..

Chris

[jacob erin-cilberto]

Thank you, Chris...keep singing.
j.